Released: December 25, 2014
Recorded: November 2013 - September 2014
Genre(s): R&B, Hip Hop, Progressive House, Dance-pop, Pop, Trap
Length: 46:15
Label: Tric-Jam Records
Writer(s): Dominic Brown, Erin Ramsey, Leah Jordan, Colin Taylor, Kay Young, Katriel Comyns, Myra Knight, Julian Wade, Nicholas Campbell, Drew Westbrook, Tealiyah Phuong
Producer(s): Dominic Brown, Max Martin, Layla Raine, The Wolverines, Rico Love, Michael Bryant, Frankie Schneider, Colleen Chandler, Shaun Conner, Ben Drake
'Unrequited Love' is the debut extended play by American recording artist Dominic Brown, set to be released in November 2014, through Tric-Jam Records. It will be Brown's first release since the 2011 release of his debut album, 'F.Y.T.' The album was met with generally positive reviews and debuted at number three on the Golden 15, formerly known as the Chart Heat Top 40, with first week sales of 330,000 copies. As of September 26, 2014, the album has sold 4,145,000 copies in the U.S. 'F.Y.T.' was released as a standard edition with a total of fifteen songs. It featured appearances from Hayden, Isabel, Luke Striker, Cassie Valentine, and Mandy Williams and was produced by Brown and Nevaeh Martinez.
On May 7, 2012 Brown's management teased on his official website, the last and final single to be released from F.Y.T. but the single was never released. Shortly after, on July 4, 2012, his management teased a sneak peek at Brown's sophomore album cover, Domino Effect, revealing that he was at work recording for his next album. Unfortunately, the album was put on hold, however, as Brown had gone on a hiatus. Almost a year later, he did an interview with Kegan Dawson on the Kegan Dawson Show, in which he made clear as to why he left. Brown stated: "I decided to put a hold on the album because of personal reasons that I had to attend to, which is why my last single, 'My Mistake' featuring Cassie Valentine never dropped either. So that's why I had the long break that I did and I apologize to my fans for the misunderstanding. I know everyone was expecting more music from me but I mean some things happen in life that take us by surprise. The situation that I was dealing with at the time was bad and so I needed to fix that before I could do my music the way I needed to." When asked by Dawson about new music, Brown revealed that he had been working on his sophomore album recently and that the album would have a total of twenty songs. Brown also revealed that for his comeback he would be releasing a new single the next month and that fans should expect something special.
Brown released the track, 'MEMO,' for digital download on the iTunes store on Valentine's day. Brown announced that same day that he would be releasing an EP before the release of his sophomore album. 'MEMO' was the lead single to be released from the EP. It was written and produced by Brown and produced by Max Martin and Layla Raine. 'Don't Wait Up' featuring Kato was released on June 1, 2014 as the second single from the EP. Brown debuted the single at the Chaos Awards VIII on May 31, 2014 and released it at midnight as a digital download on iTunes. On August 2, 2014, Brown released his third single, 'Work It Out,' featuring The Wolverines. The song also featured on the soundtrack of the hit summer movie, 'Summer Break.' Brown announced on his official Twitter that one last single would be released from the EP. The single is scheduled to be released in the upcoming weeks.
The writing and recording of the EP began in November 2013 and concluded early last month in September 2014. Most of the album was written by Brown along with Erin Ramsey, Leah Jordan, Colin Taylor, Kay Young, Katriel Comyns, Myra Knight, Kayla Barton, Julian Wade, and Nicholas Campbell and features production from Brown, Max Martin, Layla Raine, The Wolverines, Rico Love, Michele Bryant, Frankie Schneider, Colleen Chandler, Shaun Conner, and Ben Drake. The EP features appearances from Kato, The Wolverines, and Drew Westbrook. Brown stated that the EP will showcase a fresh new sound and direction by him as well as give the fans a taste of what's to come on his upcoming sophomore album.
TracklistingMemo 4:49
R.U.S.H feat. Drew Westbrook 3:18
Don't Wait Up feat. Kato 4:57
Paralyzed 3:39
Break Through feat. Sierrah Summers 3:17
Main Attraction 3:51
Work It Out feat. The Wolverines 4:00
Gone feat. Liyah 3:58
MEMO [Video] 
Don't Wait Up feat. Kato [Video] Work It Out feat. The Wolverines [Video] Gone feat. Liyah [Video] Song AnalysisMEMOThis track is one of my top favorites on the EP cause I love the island sound that is has. It's just a feel good song and makes you want to dance. It's also a bit MJ inspired as well with my vocals at the beginning and end. I wanted to do something big with my comeback and remind people of the old me but also at the same time introduce them to the new me as well. I produced this track along with Max Martin and Layla Raine. Both of them really helped to make this record great and once that happened the lyrics just came easy to me. The idea of dropping the song on Valentine's Day was a last minute decision. I was planning on dropping it in January but had a change of plans and eventually February rolled around and it was closer to the holiday so I went with that. It pretty much worked out great cause the song is about romance and definitely one for the ladies, which is what the holiday is about.#UnrequitedLove Fun fact: Dominic originally announced 'Fight Us' as his comeback single but he chose to release 'MEMO' instead.
R.U.S.H feat. Drew WestbrookThis next track was actually added to the EP a bit last minute after I went through and finalized everything. I had a lot of songs to choose from but this one finally made the cut. I love the way this song captures my vocals over the delayed keys and hip hop-tinged section. If you're a fan of R&B with a little hip hop mixed in, then you'll love this one. It was my first time working with Drew and it was a great experience for me. His verse on the song is crazy and I definitely think his talent goes unrecognized. He's got mad skills and with each person I work with in the studio I learn so much from. He's just another one of those people and I look forward to working with him again someday.#UnrequitedLove Fun fact: The song originally had a second verse from Dominic but that part of the song was cut out and a verse from Drew was later added.
Don't Wait Up feat. KatoThis track, like the previous one, is R&B influence as well with some hip hop mixed in. It has that laid back R&B feel with hip hop in the verses with sung/talked vocals throughout. It's been awhile since I've worked that into my music but I thought I should continue to do it as it seems to work. The song is just one of many of the collaborations that I have with my boy Kato. He'll be on some of my tracks on my upcoming album, Dominic Effect, and this is just to give the fans a preview of that. Rico Love and Layla Raine produced the beat and Kato and I just played around with it and wrote the lyrics right there and then. Lyrically, it just talks about moving on to the next one after the person you thought that you knew, lies and plays games. It's a subject that I've personally have experienced and I know that it's something that people can relate to as well and that's what I like about it.#UnrequitedLove Fun fact: Two versions of this song was made, the other with a different verse from Dominic, but he finally decided to release this version.
ParalyzedI love writing songs and doing different genres but if I had to choose then R&B songs would probably be my top favorite. That's why majority of this EP is mostly R&B and I'm glad cause R&B is where I started. I never want to change that and even though I am going off into different genres, R&B will always be my first love. With this next track I definitely love that it's a R&B track and that I was able to pour my heart into the lyrics. I feel that I've done that with a lot of the songs on here cause each song has a subject that I've experienced personally. I feel like it just makes it that much more real cause you can actually feel the pain, the love, or whatever in each song. That right there is going to let me connect with my audience while at the same time have my audience connect with me. For me, music doesn't mean a thing if you can't believe what you're saying or connect with your audience. So when I see comments on social media of my fans saying how they love a song cause I captured how they're feeling right now, then I know that I did my job as an artist.#UnrequitedLove Fun fact: 'While It Lasted (Last Kiss)' was planned to be on the EP but Dominic removed it and replaced it with 'Paralyzed' instead.
Break Through feat. Sierrah SummersWhat I like about this next track is that is has an incredible production and sound songwriting. I feel like with each song that I write that I get better and better. That's great cause I feel that is the case with this EP. You listen to the first song and then the next, and each one just hooks you in and you want more. So by the time the entire EP is over you're eager to press repeat and listen to it all over again. I'm planning to do my album like that as well but it'll also tell a story. This EP sorta tells a story about what we go through in relationships. How we feel when we first get together to how we feel when things start to go wrong. This particular track just happens to be one where you're trying to make the one you love realize that love isn't such a bad thing. I love this one especially mainly cause it's a duet. I don't do to many of those but when I do I always try to make it special for the fans. Break Through was actually not suppose to be on the EP at all but I changed my mind, thinking that it would be a good fit. I never actually planned to work with Sierrah, it was something that fell into place on its own. I had already finished recording the song and it was originally just my voice alone but I felt like maybe I could turn it into a duet. Long story short, she heard the song and liked it so she recorded her vocals on it. I heard it and here it is, on the EP. It wasn't weird at all working with my ex-girlfriend on the track. Some people might find it weird but I don't have any ill feelings towards her and neither does she for me. After all this time, we're able to be good friends and have a professional relationship when we need to. I had fun working with her. She has a great voice and she gives that female perspective on the song that I think the ladies will love and the fellas will be able to connect with the subject.#UnrequitedLove Fun fact: Dominic originally had '20/20' as track 5 on the EP but it was removed and replaced with 'Break Through.'
Main AttractionThe next track was both fun to write as well as record in the studio. I remember being in the studio with the lights down low, as when I'm writing these types of songs I like it to be that way, and just putting my all into the song. I really love the R&B feel and soulful vocals that it has to it. I recorded this song last year and it just sat there with a lot of my other unused songs. When we sat down to choose which songs would go on the EP and which ones would go on my sophomore album, I felt that this one would be good for the EP. It's purpose is to give my fans a little taste of what's to come for the album. If you like this, then just wait till you hear my album cause the songs on there go hard. There are a lot of R&B bangers on the album along with a couple of slow songs. My new album is going to be one for the ages so I hope that people are ready. I know I can't wait to release it next year.#UnrequitedLove Fun fact: Dominic originally put this song on the final tracklisting of his upcoming album but later decided to move it to his EP.
Work It Out feat. The WolverinesThis is definitely in there as another one of my top favorite tracks on the EP. I love that the beat is so energetic and that it's also tough and bouncy, with a playful bassline. It's wild at some moments and raw in others and the breakdown is crazy with the uplifting synths. I love performing this song cause it's great to dance to and really gets the crowd pumped up. Hands down if I could only choose one song that's my overall favorite from this EP, then it would be this one. I've studied the work of The Wolverines and knew that I had to work with them. They're insane with the music that they make and when you bring that all together with the lyrics that I wrote and the vocals over the beat, something creative and magical was made. I don't think that it could have been done any differently. It makes me love the new direction that I'm going in and makes me want to keep reinventing myself and trying out new things. I don't feel that I'm selling out by not staying completely to R&B and Hip Hop music. If anything I feel like I'm just growing up and my music is maturing with me.#UnrequitedLove Fun fact: Dominic planned to have mISTER_b produce this track but decided to work with him on another song and asked The Wolverines to produce it.
Gone feat. LiyahThis song is another favorite cause of the pop sound that it has and the hip hop undertones. Each time this track plays I'm amazed that I made it. I put the beat together from scratch and wrote the lyrics myself. I thought hard about who I wanted to feature on the song and eventually thought that Liyah would be a good fit. Like Kato, she's another one of the collaborators that I worked with for my album and wanted to give fans a little preview before then. She and I recorded a lot of songs and I can't wait to share them with my fans. I think they'll love them just as much as I do. The song talks about an on and off again relationship where at first things were great and they were in love but eventually things started to take a turn for the worse that sorta got them off track a little. They face this situation where one wants the other but the other doesn't cause as the lyrics say the love is gone.#UnrequitedLove Fun fact: 'Gone' was another song that was added to the EP at the last minute.
PersonnelDominic Brown - lead vocals, background vocals, creative director, executive producer, producer, songwriter
Layla Raine - executive producer, producer
Erin Ramsey - songwriter
Max Martin - producer
Tomas Brady - assistant
Leah Jordan - songwriter
Mike Strickland - grooming
The Wolverines – featured artist, producer
Rico Love - producer
Suzanne Todd - photography
Colin Taylor - songwriter
Leticia Stewart - photography model
Michael Bryant - producer
Tealiyah Phuong - featured artist, songwriter
Drew Westbrook - featured artist, songwriter
Katriel Comyns - featured artist, background vocals, songwriter
Sierrah Summers - featured artist, background vocals
Frankie Schneider - producer
Travis Klein - assistant, engineer
Kay Young - songwriter
Stanley Bush - mastering
Myra Knight - songwriter
Kayla Barton - songwriter
Marlon Rice - keyboards
Colleen Chandler - producer
Rick Thomas - mixing
Shaun Conner - producer
Grace Dawson - art direction, creative director, design
Ben Drake - producer
Julian Wade - songwriter
Josefina Hayes - photography model
Candice Mccarthy - stylist
Nicholas Campbell - songwriter
Mark Bridges - grooming
Jared Haynes - engineer
Monique Hart - creative director, design, executive producer, stylist
Lucas Smith - engineer, mixing
Lola Roberson - photography model
Thank You'sGod - I know that everyone starts off their thank you's this way but I felt it necessary. I've been blessed to have such a wonderful gift and I never take it for granted. I've always made sure that I remained humble because I know that one day it could be all gone. So I thank him for all that he's given me in life and I hope to use my gift to inspire others.
My sister - It's no secret how much my sister means to me and if you've listened to my debut album, you'll know just how much love I have for her. You've always been there for me whenever I've needed you the most. We've been through a lot in our lives but you've always had my back. Not to mention that you made everything look so easy even when I knew that it wasn't. I admire you for that because without the love that you provided me, I wouldn't be the man I am today. I'll forever be there for you as you have been there for me.
My parents - We haven't always seen eye to eye but I do appreciate you giving me life. I wouldn't be here today without you and I definitely appreciate all of the sacrifices you've made for me. I won't take them for granted. I hope that one day things will start to fall into place but until then I'll be here waiting for that day.
My label, manager, Layla Raine, Erin Ramsey, Leah Jordan, Colin Taylor, Kay Young, Katriel Comyns, Max Martin, The Wolverines, Rico Love, etc - I just want to personally thank all of you for all that you've done to help make this EP special. I especially want to thank my label because through it all you've been patient with me and let me take my time and ease back into things. That means a lot to me and I'm thankful to have still had a label to call home when I came back. Layla, you've been a great mentor to me, not only with music advise but also with spreading your wisdom. I'm thankful for your help and can't wait to continue to work with you into the future.
My fans - Since the moment I released my debut single, you guys have been dedicated. Not a day goes by that I don't see that and I thank you for being patient while I was away. If I could, I would have never left but life happens sometimes and you just have to go with it. I feel that all I've had to go through has helped to make me a better person and has helped me to mature with my music. Each day I work hard to see the love and support from you. All of this is for you guys and I hope that you love the new music as much as I do.
My girl - I'm usually not so open with my feelings but since I've met you all I want to do is to explain how I feel about you. I feel very lucky to have met you and I thank Laurence for introducing us. It was a start to a beautiful beginning. The fact that it's been a year already since we got engaged is crazy. Time flies by fast but I'm enjoying every second of it with you. You've open up my heart when I didn't think that it would be possible and given me a lot of love to last a lifetime. I can't wait till the day comes when I can give you that happy ending that you deserve. I'm excited for our future and looking forward to starting a family with you someday. As long as you keep loving me, I'll continue to love you back.
Pre-Order The Debut EP 'Unrequited Love' Now On iTunes!